Vertical Alignment of Road

Anil Marsani/Institute of Engineering, Pulchowk Campus

Components
Grades
Vertical Curves

Anil Marsani/Institute of Engineering, Pulchowk Campus

Vertical Controls
existing topography
geotechnical conditions
existing intersections
property entrances
overpasses and underpasses
pedestrian accesses
service utility assets (and their protection requirements)
.
Anil Marsani/Institute of Engineering, Pulchowk Campus

Types of different grades

NRRS 2071

Anil Marsani/Institute of Engineering, Pulchowk Campus

Anil Marsani/Institute of Engineering, Pulchowk Campus

Anil Marsani/Institute of Engineering, Pulchowk Campus

CAR ACCIDENT AT JORTE PALPA

Anil Marsani/Institute of Engineering, Pulchowk Campus

Forces on moving vehicle

Source: AASHTHO Greenbook, 2011

Anil Marsani/Institute of Engineering, Pulchowk Campus

V1approach speed

V2exit speed

igradient at the approach section

imaxmaximum steep grade

Llength of road section with grade imax

the length of grade has a

significant effect on the
exit speed.
Higher grade of shorter
length is preferable

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NRRS 2071

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NRS 2070 recommendations

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High grades
higher relative speeds between vehicles producing the
potential for higher rear end vehicle crash rates
results in increased queuing and overtaking requirements
(high traffic volume roads)
Increased freight cost (more fuel consumption)
High vehicle emission
Anil Marsani/Institute of Engineering, Pulchowk Campus

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Gradient selection

Safety on long steep descent.

Complete loss of brakes
Poor maintenance practice
Poor driving practice
Overheating due to failure to select lower gears

Water on brakes

Anil Marsani/Institute of Engineering, Pulchowk Campus

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NRS 2070
horizontal or
descending arrester beds

Anil Marsani/Institute of Engineering, Pulchowk Campus

Source: Nepal Road Standard 2070

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Location of escape ramp

Grade severity rating system
Brake temperature limit of 260C for
safe decent speed at grade
located prior to or at the start of the
smaller radius curves
generally located within the bottom
half of the steeper section
Photo Source: Austroad Guide Road Design Part 6

IRC 52: Geometric Design of Hill Roads

Roads having 2 km Anil

orMarsani/Institute
more, ofatEngineering,
the Pulchowk
interval
of about 2 km
Campus

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Provision on Road Safety Audit Manual

(Nepal)

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Signage provision

Anil Marsani/Institute of Engineering, Pulchowk Campus

Source: Traffic Sign Manual Volume I

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Way forward
Need of extra supplementary plates ?

Speed limits for heavy vehicles?

Safe driving practice (Avoidance of
fanning, use of low gears, braking on
straight section etc..)
Dragnets (vehicle-arresting barrier)
Source: Truck Users Manual
Anil Marsani/Institute of Engineering, Pulchowk Campus

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Design aspects
Optimum balance of cut and fill
Avoid heavy cut and fill (heavy surplus mass
or heavy retaining structures)
Location of key points (BC,MC,EC,
Highest/Lowest, Intersection with other
roads
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Grading Procedure
Step 1

identify all major controls on the alignment

Step 2

Prepare a horizontal alignment

Step 3

Select appropriate grading points

Step 4

Prepare a longitudinal section (Plot all the vertical controls)

Step 5

Prepare a trial gradeline

Step 6

Calculate earthworks quantities

Step 7

Adjust the vertical alignment

Anil Marsani/Institute of Engineering, Pulchowk Campus

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Vertical Curves
Summit and Valley Curves
Parabolas
Sight distance requirement
Better if length is greater

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Coordination with horizontal alignment

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Alignment design
Road alignment selection is not just the selection of
road geometry but it is also an art.

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